The 2025-26 Milwaukee Bucks have been doing a whole lot losing this year. The 2020-21 NBA champions have not looked like themselves, and just recently lost seven straight games before defeating the Nets over the weekend.
Any struggling team knows that things aren’t permanent. But more recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo cleansed his social media profiles of anything Bucks. With things like this going on, it doesn’t appear that better days are on the way.
It’s clear that the best days are behind this franchise, and a trade could help swing things back in a favorable direction.
That’s why this potential trade with the Utah Jazz could be what they need. Jusuf Nurkic has been having a big bounce back here, putting up a double-double with four assists every night.
The Bosnian big man has had a nice resurgence, and in this hypothetical deal, he would join Milwaukee, along with a pair of 2nd-round picks, for Bobby Portis.
Portis’ offense is certainly helpful, but it’s size and playmaking that the Bucks have been needing.
Let’s break down the deal further.
Jusuf Nurkic to Bucks for Bobby Portis
Before Bucks fans come for this piece, there’s something to be kept in mind. Bobby Portis has been very up-and-down over the last few years, and hasn’t done much to help things on the defensive end.
While Jusuf Nurkić isn’t somebody you bring in to fix your defense, he can certainly help with playmaking. He’s on an expiring $19 million deal, and provides size behind Myles Turner. Jericho Sims hasn’t added much value, and the team is clearly lacking an interior big.
In return, the Jazz would acquire Portis. He could be a solid rotation piece and big man down the stretch of this season. Plus, with two more years on his contract beyond the season, another move could be made to send the big man elsewhere for another asset or two this summer.
Nurkić is somebody that has been in the league a long time. He was beloved during his time in Portland. The fact is, he gives Giannis the ability to be off the ball. Not too many centers in the league can be used as offensive hubs for cutting.
The deal would be very beneficial for the Bucks, and this is certainly worth considering.
Jusuf Nurkic Improves Bucks Rebounding Prospects
The Bucks rank near the bottom of the league in rebounding this year. They are dead last in offensive rebounds, 23rd in defensive rebounds, and 28th in total rebounds. The hot start wore off pretty quickly due to their lack of size and ability to finish possessions.
For Jusuf Nurkić, who comes in to Wednesday night’s action averaging better than 9,3 rebounds in just 24 minutes a night, it makes too much sense to try and make the move. Bobby Portis is down to 5.5 boards per game, after averaging more than seven a night in each of the previous three years.
Myles Turner would still be able to remain the starter in this hypothetical, and it would allow up to 48 minutes a night (unless Giannis Antetokounmpo plays some center) of having a true big on the floor.
Plus, if the former Pacers big man is struggling, this finally gives the team another option.
And for the Jazz on the other side, it helps them move an expiring contract. With a number of veterans on their roster already, Utah already has some deadline moves to make.
Why not take this one for a spin?
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